2026 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and 58 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are unknown or other (14), electrical system (11), forward collision avoidance (10). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 21–23 mpg combined, depending on configuration.
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of any Santa Fe model year from 2012 to 2026. It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 3.8 per model year.
Recalls 4
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Seat belts · front · anchorage
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
Risk: A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 298 and 032G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov April 8, 2026.
Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.
Air bags · side/window · curtain
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
Engine and engine cooling · critical fasteners
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
Traveling the PA Turnpike with the cruise control on and traveling 73 mph. I was in the far left lane and just passed a slower car. There was nothing in front of me in the far left lane or the lane next for at least a half a mile. After just passing the slower car the forward collision avoidance came on and tried to stop the car. I put my foot on the brake as an instinctive act…
Steering wheel makes a squeaking sounds after 5k problem. Widespread problem on the forums like in the Santa Fe Reddit page. Issue comes back even after new steering wheel replacement. Issue is believe to be the clock spring
This is the SECOND occurrence in the past two weeks. I was traveling on a HEAVILY trafficked 10 lane divided interstate, doing the speed limit on cruise control when the vehicle suddenly and inexplicably lost power. It went into "limp mode" (will not go over 30 mph). Thankfully i was able to negotiate to the shoulder but the maneuver was EXTREMLY dangerous as the rest of traffi…
Safety ratings
2026 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV N/A AWD
2026 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV N/A FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Santa Fe AWD
Auto (S8) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Santa Fe AWD XRT
Auto (S8) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, most recently for seat belts · front · anchorage (04/07/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are unknown or other (14), electrical system (11), forward collision avoidance (10).
Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2026 a good year for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of any Santa Fe model year from 2012 to 2026. It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 3.8 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
EPA ratings for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe range from 21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on configuration.
Own a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved November 2, 2026. NHTSA model names used: SANTA FE, SANTA FE HYBRID, Santa Fe.